Sequoia & Kings Canyon tent sites

Sequoia National Park, CA
August 1978, Lodgepole Campground

This is a photo that I found just recently in my photo box. My dad and I went on a camping trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in August 1978 just before I went away to college at Humboldt State University in Northern California. It was really the last time we spent a great deal of time together. I think we camped at this site in Lodgepole for the better part of a week while we hiked around the two parks. This was a nice level site in the first or second loop of the campground, but still on the crowded side. That's our camper in the background, but just to the right of it was another campsite, and another and another. At least this site was on the outside of the loop which afforded a little bit more privacy.

Sequoia National Park, CA
June 1994, Lodgepole Campground

Don't camp at Lodgepole. There are too few sites that are really good. This one looks good, but it's only because I have a tight shot of our site. There was good shade here, but it was too crowded. There were people to the left, right and behind us. I forgot the tent poles to our old tent and we had to buy a two person backpacking tent. This type of tent was the only kind that would have fit in this particular campsite.

Sequoia National Park, CA
June 1997, Dorst Creek Campground

This was a much nicer campsite. The NPS opened up Dorst to reservations for the first time this year and it was a welcome change. The sites (at least on this loop) were more wide open and farther apart. We had an extra large bear box which also helped. Because it was a little bit more remote and less crowded, we had deer roaming through the campsite every morning and at dusk. It helped feel you were farther from civilization.

Kings Canyon National Park, CA
August 1999, Azalea Campground

This campground was by far and away the best that we have stayed in either Kings Canyon or Sequoia. Most of the spaces are far enough apart that you have some privacy. There was plenty of shade all around and there were some awesome campsites. After we had picked this one, we discovered several others on another loop that were even better than this one. One of the loops fronts on a meadow and those particular sites are fabulous. They are large and open with plenty of shade. There is also a "tent only" loop if you prefer not to camp amongst RV's. We didn't take advantage of that loop, but may next time. This campsite is on a first come, first served basis with no reservations taken. We didn't have any problem finding a good site.